The definitive book about the Marine Corps’ first elite force, officially authorized by the U.S. Marine Raider Association. Hundreds of photos, maps and illustrations (many never seen elsewhere), juxtaposed with you-are-there stories by the Raiders themselves, intertwined with historical narrative.

Hardbound; 8-1/2” x 11”; 279 pages.

“The best work of its kind I have ever read!” -- W.E.B. Griffin, best-selling author of New Breed, Semper Fi, Brotherhood of War, and others.

$49 + $6.00 S&H

ALLIED MILITARY FIGHTING KNIVES AND THE MEN WHO MADE THEM FAMOUS By: Robert A. Buerlein

Two books in one…military knives and elite forces…the first book ever to analyze wartime Allied elite force missions while examining why and how their fighting knives were designed to be the most efficient “tools of the trade” possible. Photos of 358 knives and 120 additional photos and illustrations; 183 pages.

A wide array of international fighting knives, as compiled by three of the most recognized names in historical military knives – Gordon Hughes and Barry Jenkins of the United Kingdom and Robert A. Buerlein of the United States – Knives of War presents detailed line drawings, rare historical photos, and fascinating facts and anecdotes about the edged weapons used by both sides during World Wars I and II.

A number of World War II veterans who used these weapons on (or behind) the front lines in elite units enthusiastically shared inside information with the authors, and it is presented here for the first time. Of particular interest is some previously unknown information about the U.S. Marine Raider Gung Ho Knife and the Gerber Mark II Combat Knife, as well as a wealth of details about the most famous fighting knife of all, the Fairbairn-Sykes. Adding interest to this chapter are detailed biographies of Lt. Col. W. E. Fairbairn and Maj. E. A. Sykes, including their early years with the Shanghai Municipal Police, their critical work during World War II for the Allies, and the inspiration for their classic Fairbeirn-Sykes Fighting Knife.

Among the other edged weapons examined in this book are big knives; knuckle knives; German trench knives; folding and gravity military knives; bayonet and sword conversions; trench clubs; and other miscellaneous knives of war.

The B-26 Martin Marauder Medium Bomber was known as a “hot ship” – fast and difficult to fly. This is the story of flying this aircraft on 58 bomb missions in the ETO – and daily life in between – throughout the critical year of the war, 1944, and for 4 1/2 months as a P.O.W. 235 photos and illustrations; 277 pages.

Currently out of stock, and being revised. Will Update this page when new edition is available.